So, I got my formal IVF protocol on Tuesday, and I wanted to ask a few more questions. I'm set for 150 IU Follistim, 37.5 Luveris, and Lupron (don't remember the dose). Now - I'm horribly needle-phobic (I got through the injections for my last IUI, but I'm worried about multiple injections a day).

For those of you on these drugs, were you able to mix them, or did you have to do 3 separate shots? What drugs were you allowed to mix?

I spoke to the nurse, and she said if I want to reduce the shots/mix, she could switch me to bravelle/menopur and I could mix those. Has anyone done this? Do you have any preferences between Follistim/luveris and bravelle/menopur? What about cost differences?

Have any of you been permitted to mix the lupron with the other drugs, or did you always have to separately administer the lupron? TIA for your answers!

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I never mixed anything. I did all the shots as instructed. I would try to do them each individually as they are meant. IVF is stressful, and if the cycle did not work, you do not want any "what if's" to haunt you. KWIM?

The shots were all pretty easy and after day 2 you will get used to them. I swear.

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Dana (35)
DH (36)

IVF #1 Twins James and Mia born 11-9-06
Natural on 6-22-07 WOW!

I think bravelle and menoour are the same drug. They come as powder that have to be mixed before injected. I am not sure that they could be mixed with other drugs. The Lupor and follisitm are really small needles, They did not hurt at all. I never felt them. I also took menopr with my follistim, and that one just stung.

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Dana (35)
DH (36)

IVF #1 Twins James and Mia born 11-9-06
Natural on 6-22-07 WOW!

I mixed all of my shots and did them in the hip (butt) every night. I just did one shot per day (intramuscular). I did this on this IVF cycle and I am now 14 weeks pregnant.

My last IVF cycle that did not work I did all the shots separately in my stomach. So, I don't think it matters which protocol you use...what matters is that you are not stressed. I would just talk to your doctor about it.

I never mixed my shots, only because they all called for different dosages and different sized needles. I would have gotten way too confused if I tried to minimize the number of shots!

Other than the IM shots, all were such small, fine needles, they never bothered me. I did them all in my stomach (and did the heparin injs on my thighs)... If you find yourself getting anxiety stricken over the needles, just keep reminding yourself why you're doing it... and I'm sure the big picture will overshadow your fear of needles!

Good luck!

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Yeah, the small needles like the lupron and follistim are not painful at all. I literally could hardly feel them. I was able to mix my Lupron with my low dose HCG which I took daily in the in the week or so before egg retrieval. I would have rather done them as two separate shots though, because mixing them and the thought of contaminating the HCG made me a nervous wreck.

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DH 37, Me 35
DD 17, DS 14, DD 12

Tubal reversal Jan 2006
HCG Sept 2007 shows both tubes blocked
IVF #1 November 2007 BFN
IVF #2 April 2008 BFP! Twins!

I mixed bravelle and menopur- for my last cycle I was told I could mix the lupron in with them and just do the one shot but I didn't- I guess cos I was used to doing them seperately. They're really OK once you have done the first one or two. Good luck

I didn't mix any of mine either. The lupron and follistim are extremely tiny needles and you really don't feel them. the Menopur, it just stung a little. It's really not as bad as it sounds. You will get used to it, we promise.

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